Health Library

Hereditary Hemochromatosis

What is hemochromatosis?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the U.S. It is a metabolic disorder that causes
increased absorption of iron from the digestive tract. The iron is deposited in the body tissues and organs. Over time, the iron
accumulates in the body where it may become toxic and cause damage. Excess iron in the heart, liver, pancreas, and pituitary
causes the more severe complications of hereditary hemochromatosis.

Other forms of hemochromatosis include:

Juvenile hemochromatosis. This affects adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 30. This form leads to a severe overload of iron, which can cause heart
and liver disease.

Neonatal hemochromatosis. In this form, iron builds up very quickly in an infant's liver and can cause severe organ damage.

Transfusion related hemochromatosis. This is a result of iron overload caused by many blood transfusions in patients with disorders that cause them to not make
enough red blood cells.

What causes hemochromatosis?

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease, often most prevalent among people who are white. Genetic means that hemochromatosis
is inherited. A person will be born with hemochromatosis if two hemochromatosis genes are inherited--one from the mother and
one from the father. A person who has only one hemochromatosis gene is healthy and said to be a carrier of the gene. A carrier has an increased chance to have a child with hemochromatosis. This type of inheritance is called autosomal
recessive. Autosomal means that the gene is on one of the first 22 pairs of chromosomes, and not on the X or Y chromosome. Therefore, males and
females are equally affected by the disease. Recessive means that two copies of the gene, one inherited from each parent, are necessary to have the condition. Once parents have
had a child with hemochromatosis, there is a one in four, or 25 percent, chance with each future pregnancy for another child
to be born with hemochromatosis. This means that there is a three out of four, or 75 percent, chance for another child to
not have hemochromatosis. First-degree relatives of people with known hemochromatosis should undergo screening for the disorder.

According to the CDC, more than 1 million people in the U.S. have the gene mutation that can cause hemochromatosis. Although
hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder (which usually means men and women are equally affected), iron overload
from hereditary hemochromatosis is more common in men than women. The age of onset is also earlier in males than females.
The reasons for these differences are thought to be because of the protective effect of iron loss through menses (menstruation) in
females. In other words, females do not build up iron as quickly over time.

What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis?

The following are the most common symptoms of hemochromatosis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:

Lethargy and weakness

Irritability

Depression

Joint pain

Bronze or yellowish skin color

Loss of body hair

Impotence in men

Amenorrhea in women

Infection

Untreated or severe hemochromatosis may lead to the following:

Liver function abnormalities and enlargement

Abnormal heart rhythm

Heart failure

Enlarged spleen

Diabetes

The symptoms of hemochromatosis may resemble other medical problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

How is hemochromatosis diagnosed?

Hemochromatosis is usually discovered during a medical examination through a routine blood test. In addition to a complete
medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for hemochromatosis may include the following:

Iron levels. People with hemochromatosis have higher levels of iron in their blood.

Transferrin saturation test (TS). A type of iron study (blood test) that measures the percentage of transferrin and other mobile, iron-binding proteins saturated
with iron. It is helpful in finding early hemochromatosis.

Ferritin levels. Ferritin is a protein in the blood that increases when iron stores in the body increase. It rises most significantly when
iron levels are quite high.

Liver biopsy. A procedure performed to remove tissue or cells from the liver for examination under a microscope and to weigh the iron in
the liver.

Genetic testing. A blood test that looks for the mutations that cause hereditary hemochromatosis.

Treatment for hemochromatosis

Specific treatment for hemochromatosis will be determined by your doctor based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history

Extent of the disease

Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

Expectations for the course of the disease

Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

Periodic phlebotomy. A procedure that involves removing blood from the body. Done regularly at first, once iron stores have
returned to normal it can be done once or twice a year as needed.

Chelation therapy. Treatment with a drug that tightly binds and removes iron from the body.

Avoiding iron and vitamin C supplements

Avoiding excessive alcohol intake

Treatment of the resulting diseases or conditions

If hereditary hemochromatosis is discovered and iron stores returned to normal before damage to organs occurs, patients with
it will live a normal lifespan.